saving block in the closing seconds Saturday, and the Ce

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has dropped its bid to host the 2020 European Championship final and semifinals, and will focus on hosting Euro 2024 alone. Turkeys football federation announced its decision ahead of Fridays bidding deadline despite Istanbul being a front-runner for the marquee matches with support already pledged by UEFA President Michel Platini. "We believe ... we are at a point where we can undertake the entire tournament, not just the semifinals and final," the Turkish federation said in a statement. The strategic move makes England and Germany favoured to receive the prestige package of final and semifinals for the 24-nation 2020 tournament. England has proposed Wembley Stadium in London and Germany has offered the Allianz Arena in Munich. UEFA will choose 13 host cities across Europe for Euro 2020 at a Sept. 19 meeting of its executive committee. Twelve winning bidders will each host three group-stage matches and a single knockout match from the last-16 or quarterfinals rounds. At least 20 UEFA member countries are expected to meet Fridays deadline to bid, including Italy and the Netherlands, plus newcomers Azerbaijan and Romania. A total of 32 countries expressed interest last September when Turkey was already a clear favourite for the final. Platini has publicly supported Turkeys claim since his native France won a close race between the countries in May 2010 to host Euro 2016. Turkey seemed sure to host Euro 2020 alone but the campaign was complicated by Istanbuls insistence on bidding for the 2020 Olympics, scheduled weeks later. Despite UEFA and Platini seeking a firm commitment for its tournament, Turkeys political and sporting leaders proceeded in the Olympics contest won by Tokyo last year. Turkey automatically becomes the favourite to host Euro 2024, with one of its probable opponents -- England or Germany -- likely to step aside if either gets the prestige matches in 2020. Also Friday, France and Switzerland withdrew from the Euro 2020 bidding, saying it was too soon to repeat as host nations. Switzerland shared Euro 2008 with neighbouring Austria. Euro 2012 co-host Poland backed out this week, following the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland and Portugal. UEFA will confirm the Euro 2020 candidates on Saturday. Cheap Flyers Jerseys Authentic . -- Ben Bishop had a milestone game against one of the NHLs greatest goalies. Cheap Flyers Jerseys . But when it was all over they had wasted another lead, seen another pitcher flame out on the mound and lost their fourth straight at home. http://www.cheapflyersjerseys.com/ . Dr. James Andrews is to operate next week on the 24-year-old pitcher, who made the AL All-Star team last year. Moore will be the first Rays pitcher to undergo Tommy John surgery since Jason Isringhausen in June 2009. Wholesale Flyers Jerseys .C. -- Al Jefferson said he feels like hes playing the best basketball of his 10-year NBA career. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . Jeff Green and Jordan Crawford each scored 19 points, Bass added 15 points and had a game-saving block in the closing seconds Saturday, and the Celtics held on for a 103-100 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.Canadian medal hopeful Alex Gough is in fifth place after the first run of the womens luge event at the Sanki Sliding Center in Sochi on Monday. The 26-year-old slider from Calgary posted a time of 50.464 seconds, 0.573 seconds back of leader Natalie Geisenberger. The German led the overall World Cup womens standings this season and continued her dominance by putting down a track record time of 49.891, ahead of second-place Erin Hamlin of the United States (50.356) andd teammate Tajana Huefner (50.dddddddddddd393). Gough finished second overall in the World Cup this season and is aiming to win Canadas first-ever Olympic medal in womens luge. Calgarys Kimberly McRae was impressive in her first Olympic appearance, finishing her first trip down the track in sixth spot, trailing Gough by only 0.001 seconds. Arianne Jones, also of Calgary, sits 13th with a time of 50.993. The second of four runs is scheduled to begin at 11:45 a.m. ET. ' ' '